Jefferson glanced over at Spurs coach Gregg Popovich before dribbling into the frontcourt. He acknowledged a moment of confusion before starting a drive to the basket that resulted in a lost ball turnover.

"We're still getting some of the communications figured out," Jefferson said.

Spurs captain Tim Duncan, one of three veterans on the court with Jefferson and Bogans, relieved Jefferson of all responsibility for the costly mistake.

"Obviously, the last play down there, we probably should have called a timeout," he said. "With the experience of enough among us (on the court), we should have done something: either set a screen for Richard or gotten a timeout and got a play in.

"So that's on us, the guys that have been here."

Here's another tip: Rookie power forward DeJuan Blair, charitably listed officially at 6-foot-7, not only was in the starting lineup for the second time on Saturday but jumped at the tipoff to open the game, also for the second time.

Duncan ordinarily takes opening tip duties, but he was sidelined with an ankle sprain Wednesday against Dallas. Blair won the tip against 7-footer Erick Dampier.

Duncan was back on the court for the start of Saturday's game, so it was a bit of a surprise when Blair jumped again Saturday.